ICRC President Urges Immediate Action to Halt Escalating Middle East Conflict

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric has called for urgent measures to stop the recent surge of hostilities that has reached Yemen and Saudi Arabia. She warns that if the conflict is not contained, it could widen across the region, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. The ICRC stresses that concrete steps must protect civilians and essential infrastructure, noting that humanitarian aid alone cannot replace respect for international humanitarian law or political commitment to peace. Spoljaric fears that continued fighting would increase casualties, trigger mass displacement, and severely disrupt critical services such as health care, water, fuel, and electricity. The ICRC remains in dialogue with all parties, reminding them of the importance of upholding the law and addressing other humanitarian concerns, while its field teams work closely with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to meet on‑ground needs.